Ex Scots Navy chief celebrates 100th birthday as he recalls surviving Nazi raid

A former leader of the Royal Navy in Scotland has celebrated his 100th birthday, reminiscing about surviving a Nazi attack the day before he turned 18. Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Baird was born on May 17, 1924, in Canterbury, Kent, as the youngest of five children from a military family.

The journey was perilous, being close to Nazi-occupied Norway and dealing with dangerous conditions. Ice that formed around the ship's mast had to be melted away by sailors using blow torches as it caused significant instability. "The destroyers torpedoed the ship so it sank in a ball of flames. While we were waiting, we were sent down to open the hatchets so the Germans couldn't pick up secret information.

Top news stories today In retirement after an illustrious career halted before the Falklands War in 1982, Sir Tom devoted his time to golf, being with loved ones, and for a period, chaired the Erskine Hospital for veterans, located in Renfrewshire. His naval career hit a high note in 1979 when he was appointed Flag Officer, Scotland and Northern Ireland, overseeing the Royal Navy in the region and entertaining VIPs such as US president Richard Nixon and statesman Henry Kissinger.

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